“I’m just looking forward to tonight,” Downie said after Tuesday’s morning skate.

Steve Mason (4-7-1, 2.34, .925) will be in the net, making his 13th start in 17 games. He will oppose Ottawa’s Craig Anderson (4-4-2, 3.14, .912), who missed the last here games with a neck injury.

Led by Cherry Hill native Bobby Ryan, the Senators have scored 53 goals _ more than double the Flyers’ total of 26. Ryan, acquired in an off-season trade from Anaheim, leads the Senators in goals (nine) and points (19).

“It’s been great,” Ryan said. “From an organizational standpoint and team standpoint, you can’t ask for a better place.”

Downie will wear a full cage Tuesday night, the first time he will use one in a game since he played youth hockey _ “10 or 15 years” ago, he said. He is expected to be on a line with Sean Couturier and Matt Read.

The cage can be distracting. “It’s a little different, but no excuses,” Downie said. “I'll get used to it. I’m pretty used to it right now. Wore it for a week now. I’m not too worried about it.”

Downie has missed the last four games because of a concussion suffered in a Nov. 1 fight with Washington’s Aaron Volpatti. Downie will replace Michael Raffl, who has not skated the last two days because of the flu.